Superficial inguinal lymph nodes

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Lymph: Superficial inguinal lymph nodes
1. Supramedial superficial inguinal
2. Superolateral superficial inguinal
3. Inferior superficial inguinal
4. Deep inguinal lymph nodes
The superficial lymph glands and lymphatic vessels of the lower extremity.
Latin nodi lymphoidei inguinales superficiales
Gray's subject #179 702
Drains from most of perineal region
Drains to deep inguinal lymph nodes
Dorlands/Elsevier n_09/12576582

The superficial inguinal lymph nodes form a chain immediately below the inguinal ligament.

They lie along the saphenous vein (v. saphena magna), deep to Camper's fascia and superficial to the cribriform fascia which overlies the femoral vessels.

They are found in the triangle bounded by the inguinal ligament superiorly, the border of the sartorius muscle laterally, and the adductor longus muscle medially.

There are approximately 10 superficial lymph nodes.

The superficial nodes drain to the deep inguinal lymph nodes.

Contents

[edit] Afferents received

They receive as afferents lymphatic vessels from the following:

[edit] Division

They are divided into three groups:

  • Supramedial or Superomedial
  • Superolateral
  • Inferior

[edit] Clinical significance

The presence of swollen inguinal lymph nodes are an important clinical sign because swelling may indicate an infection in the lower extremities or spread from cancers, such as anal cancer and vulvar cancer.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

This article was originally based on an entry from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy. As such, some of the information contained herein may be outdated. Please edit the article if this is the case, and feel free to remove this notice when it is no longer relevant.

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